Stoke chief Scholes: Hughes has final say on transfers

Scholes has confirmed the final say on transfers will be the Welshman's even though he is working alongside technical director Mark Cartwright.

"The media started reporting that the club was looking to take a 'new direction' and those suggestions seemed to gather some momentum," he said.

"As far as we're concerned, there is no new direction; we're very clear on how the club should be run.

"Mark Cartwright's job in running the recruitment department is to ensure that we have as much accurate information on the player market and what players may be available, in order to assist us and, in particular, Mark Hughes on what players we should try and recruit.

"Fundamentally, it will be Mark Hughes' decision on what players we recruit within the budgetary parameters that are set but there's no change of direction.

"Every player that comes into the club will come in because Mark Hughes wants him to."